Oct 13, 2016 - Employment, Inter-American Teacher Education Network (DHDEE/ITEN) and the OAS Partnerships Program for. E
Critical Thinking for Teachers 2016 TRAINING OPPORTUNITY OAS Partnerships Program for Education and Training (PAEC) The Organization of American States (OAS), through the Department of Human Development, Education and Employment, Inter-American Teacher Education Network (DHDEE/ITEN) and the OAS Partnerships Program for Education and Training (PAEC), are offering access to training opportunities to qualified teachers of the Americas to participate in the program below. PROGRAMS:
Critical Thinking for Teachers: An Audio Program
MODALITY:
Online, United States
LANGUAGE:
English
DURATION:
1 month
DEADLINES: START DATE
Application Deadline: October 13, 2016 November 1, 2016
END DATE
BENEFITS:
November 25, 2016 Benefits include: A one-time allowance of USD $250 to candidates who successfully complete the training and train a minimum of five (5) teachers. Access to the Audio Program. Access to ITEN’s Virtual Community of Practice.
1. THE GENERAL SECRETARIAT OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES GS/OAS is the central and permanent organ of the Organization of American States (OAS). Through its Department of Human Development, Education and Employment (DHDEE), GS/OAS supports OAS Member States in creating policies and executing programs that promote human capacity development at all educational levels. By enabling formative opportunities to citizens, DHDEE strengthens democratic values and security under the framework of regional integration. DHDEE does this: (i) by supporting the efforts of OAS Member States to improve the quality of and equity in education; and (ii) by assisting the citizens of the Americas in realizing their full potential by giving them access to knowledge and skills through training that improves the standard of living for individuals, families and communities in the region. The Inter-American Teacher Education Network (ITEN) is an initiative of the DHDEE of the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development (SEDI) of the OAS.
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ITEN is a network of teachers and policymakers working with the teaching profession in the Americas with the mission of helping improve the quality of teaching in OAS member states through knowledge exchange, capacity building, technical assistance, and by granting access to virtual tools and in-person activities. Among its tools, ITEN offers a free virtual community of practice, online and audio courses, and on-site workshops. Furthermore, ITEN promotes collaboration and interaction among Ministries of Education and among teachers of the Americas, hoping that participants will take the lead and learn from each other by exchanging ideas, generating positive change towards the professionalization of teachers and thus contributing to the improvement of education in the Americas. ITEN believes that teachers are at the core of education, and play a key role in preparing young generations to act in an interconnected world. Despite the considerable improvement in the access to primary and secondary education in recent years, the Americas still faces challenges in achieving a high quality education for everyone.
2. ABOUT THE TRAINING In 2015, ITEN developed its first audio program for teachers titled Critical Thinking for Teachers, which is a series of interactive audio programs and podcasts for teachers in rural areas of OAS member states. These audio programs have the objective to strengthen teachers’ ability to teach critical thinking skills in mathematics, literacy, science, and citizenship education. Woven into an entertaining drama series, the participatory lessons feature short pauses that allow teachers to respond to questions, partake in group discussions, write plans for their classes, and more. Participants learn practical skills to apply in the classroom immediately. After participating in the audio program, the recipient will facilitate the participation of at least five other teachers. A pledge to train more than the minimum of five (5) teachers will enhance the strength of an application. Upon completing the training program, the recipient will submit a training plan (template provided by ITEN) detailing the names of participants, dates, times, and locations of the training sessions. Before and after participating in the audio program, the recipient will be observed by the head of school, principal, or department head to measure success in applying the practices learned through the training. An observation form, with instructions, will be provided by ITEN. Ideally, the observer will be familiar with critical thinking, including the use of Bloom’s taxonomy. If a head of school with teaching duties applies for the stipend, he or she may be observed by a colleague or a Ministry of Education official. Upon submitting the observation form and a satisfactory training plan, the participant will receive the stipend.
Training Content: The ITEN Audio Classroom: “Critical Thinking for Teachers” The Course will be presented in 7 audio episodes of 35 minutes each, which can be listened to directly online or downloaded to USBs or CDs.
Episodes: 1. Episode I: Why Critical Thinking? Theme: What is critical thinking and why is it important? 2. Episode II: Objectives and Objections Themes: Writing learning objectives; levels of thinking in Bloom’s taxonomy part I 3. Episode III: A Higher Order Theme: Levels of thinking in Bloom’s taxonomy part II; asking thinking questions; critical thinking activity: the interview 4. Episode IV: We recommend… 2
Theme: Critical thinking in math; critical thinking activity: analyzing real-life data to make decisions 5. Episode V: The 5 Method Rule Theme: Critical thinking in science; forming and testing hypotheses; critical thinking activity: experiment using the scientific method 6. Episode VI: Measuring Up (and Down) Theme: Assessing critical thinking activities; using a rubric 7. Episode VII: Thinking Things Through Theme: Developing a lesson plan for critical thinking
Benefits of participating in the training: Our children and youth need to be prepared to be citizens in the 21st century. Critical thinking is increasingly important to succeed in work and other elements of life, yet our education often still focuses on memorization and the accumulation of knowledge, with limited emphasis on thinking skills. Participants in this course will understand what critical thinking is and learn practical tools for incorporating critical thinking into the classroom on a daily basis. Skills include writing learning objectives, writing effective questions, organizing learning activities, and assessing learning, all with an emphasis on fostering critical thinking in students.
Participant’s Profile: a. It is recommended that the participating teacher is currently teaching 11- to 14-year-olds, but any teacher can benefit from the ITEN Audio Program. Preference will be given to teachers working with the national public school system.
ITEN Contact Information: For more specific questions about the training please contact Ms. Maria Jose De Leon at
[email protected].
3. APPLICATION PROCESS To apply for this training opportunity, you must submit this Management System.
Application Form through the OAS Fellowship
You are required to upload the following documents where indicated in the application form. Please note that all supporting documents must first be combined into ONE PDF document before it can be uploaded in the application form. The application system does not allow for more than one document to be uploaded, hence the aforementioned request. Please be guided accordingly.
Proof of English Proficiency, if applicable
Proof of Registration in the ITEN Virtual Community
Curriculum Vitae or Resume
1 Recommendation Letter
Essay
Copy of a Government Issued ID
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Please note the following: a) Please note that all documents must be in English or officially translated to English. b) Students whose native language is not English will be required to submit one of the following documents as proof of English proficiency: An official transcript verifying completion of studies in English in the last five years; A test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 570 or higher for the paper based test, 230 for computer-based test, or an internet-based TOEFL (IBT) score of at least 89; OR Other standard English proficiency certificates The date stated on the TOEFL or IELTS certificate must be within two years of your proposed start date. c) The letter of recommendation should be provided by the head of your school or principal, a department head who supervises you, or by a representative of your Ministry of Education working directly with your school, indicating why we should select you for the training of fellow colleagues (teachers), the number of fellow colleagues (teachers) you are planning to train (minimum 5), and how this will benefit your school and local community. The letter should include: -the letterhead of the school or Ministry of Education; -signature and title of referee; -date; -your current title; -your years of service; and -your duties and responsibilities. d) Proof of registration to the ITEN Virtual Community of Practice. The ITEN Virtual Community of Practice can be found here. Registration is free and easy. Once registered, please join the interest group “Critical Thinking for Teachers Audio Program Participants” by clicking “Groups” in the top menu bar, then clicking the name of the group. e) You are required to write one essay. The essay must be written in English. +
Essay Describe how participating in this training will directly impact and enhance your professional skills, institution, community and country. +
Please ignore the essay questions in the application form as they are not relevant to this training program
OAS Contact Information: For questions about this training opportunity, please contact Ms. Elisa Granadillo at egranadillo @oas.org.
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4. BENEFITS AND FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PROGRAMS:
BENEFITS OFFERED BY THE OAS.
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF APPLICANTS
Critical Thinking for Teachers: An Audio Program Benefits include: A one-time allowance of USD $250 to candidates who successfully complete the training and train a minimum of five (5) teachers. Access to the Audio Program. Access to ITEN’s Virtual Community of Practice. Participants will be responsible for any cost not covered by the OAS. Participants will be required to submit an Observation Form as a final report and evaluation and training plan for sharing their knowledge gained (templates will be provided).
COMMENTS
The participants will receive the one-time allowance and certificate upon completion of the Observation Form and training plan. Participants will be required to provide a report on the training provided to at least 5 teachers by June 30, 2017.
5. Eligibility Requirements: To be considered for this training opportunity, an applicant must:
Be a citizen and/or permanent legal resident of any active OAS member state
Not be an OAS staff or individual who maintains employment contracts with the OAS or a staff of a Permanent Mission to the OAS or immediate relatives of a staff of a Permanent Mission to the OAS
Submit a complete application with all required supporting documents
Have not received another award from the OAS for the same level of studies and/or program of study as advertised in this announcement
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6. Selection Criteria a) The merits and overall credentials of the candidate, including his/her academic and professional background; b) Geographical distribution of the applicants, taking into account the greater needs of the smaller and relatively less developed economies; c) Applicants whose proposals portray the highest potential for impact upon completing the training; and d) Gender diversity.
7. Duties and Responsibilities of the Student: a) Awards are made only after the selected candidates have signed an OAS Acceptance Form, formally accepting the award and agreeing to its terms and conditions, and have presented the final observation form (provided by ITEN) to demostrate that they have successfully completed the training. b) Refrain from activities that are inconsistent with the status of an OAS award recipient, abiding by the regulations referred to in this Acceptance Form. c) Comply with the provisions indicated in the "Financial responsibilities of awardees.”
APPLY NOW!
For more information: www.oas.org/scholarships
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